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THE CUSTOMER NEWSLETTER OF THE FUGRO GROUP ISSUE 06 NOVEMBER 2006

Rovtech and OSAE Join Fugro

Echo Mapper AUV
Greenland Seismic Survey
Sub-Basalt Imaging
South East Asia Showcase
Environmental Due Diligence
San Francisco Bay Tunnel
Coring Under Pressure
Airborne Geophysics

ROV services capability Real Time Data for Bonga Field

Brazil Metocean Study
strengthened by new Fugro Group Initiatives
Safeguarding the Environment
Fugro company PAGE 2 MarineTrack Protects Yachtsman

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 Offshore Survey
INSPECTION CAPABILITY STRENGTHENED BY NEW FUGRO COMPANY
RovTech Becomes Focus for Fugro’s ROV Business in the UK

On 1 September 2006, Fugro completed the purchase of “We also mobilise

Rovtech Limited, adding an important ROV rig support and
IRM business to the Group’s existing Work Class Survey
ROV capability.
From operational bases in Aberdeen and Singapore,
Rovtech serves the offshore inspection, drill-rig support and
construction markets with a fleet of over 30 state-of-the-art’
vehicles. The company is to be renamed Fugro-Rovtech
Limited and, from the end of 2006, will incorporate the
construction support business of Fugro Survey Limited.
Fugro-Rovtech
currently has 18 ROV
systems working in the
drill-rig support market.
These are mainly
compact, high-powered
work-class Spartan
vehicles fitted with a
Launching the ‘Spartan’ ROV TMS (Tether Manage-
- ment System) and
7- or 5-function manipulators. The Spartans can be either
crane or ‘A’ frame deployed and are easily integrated into a Tool
Deployment Unit for complex intervention tasks.
Fugro-Rovtech has built a substantial share of the UK subsea
structure inspection market. The company operates the ROV
support vessel Highland Eagle, equipped with a Super Spartan
work-class ROV and two Tiger inspection class vehicles.
Tiger or Lynx ROVs
directly on offshore
structures whenever
it’s possible to carry
out inspection from
the platforms,”
explained Business
Development
Director, Andrew
Fugro-Rovtech’s ROV Support Vessel ‘Highland Eagle’ Beveridge. “These
ROVs are fully Zone
2 rated with gravity counter-balanced launch skids that require
no welding on the platform. The ROVs are lowered to the work-
site in their own TMS garage and the TMS is fitted with at least
150m of tether, enabling the ROV to easily manoeuvre around
the platform.”
In addition to performing general visual inspection, the Tigers
can carry a full suite of tools and instrumentation and routinely
perform cathodic potential protection, flooded member
detection (using a gamma radiation source) and ultrasonic wall
thickness measurements.
“Over the next 12 to 18 months, Fugro will add the newbuild
ROVSV Fugro Saltire and several FCV3000 work-class ROVs
to the Fugro-Rovtech fleet to firmly establish the company as
a major ROV and subsea services provider, operating more
than 100 vehicles.”, concluded new Fugro-Rovtech Managing
Director Jim Sommerville.

marine survey division expands in germany

pioneering technology augments fugro’s expertise

During October 2006, The company employs 35

Offshore Survey and dedicated and experienced
Engineering, (OSAE) personnel - many qualified to
Gesellschaft für IHO Category 1 standards.
Seevermessung GmbH Fugro OSAE operates a
fleet of specialized vessels
became a Fugro company,
and an extensive selection
strengthening the Group’s
of hydrographic survey
activities in hydrographic
instrumentation, including a
charting, cable route comprehensive range of high-
survey and near shore precision multi beam echo
investigations. Established sounding equipment for all
in Bremen in 1983, OSAE water-depths.
has grown to become one
of the leading providers of Fugro OSAE’s systems are
The ‘Jetstream’ survey vessel
marine survey services to deployed on area-wide and
government and institutional clients throughout Europe Exclusive Economic Zone surveys in the deep sea or on the
and Africa. continental shelf; for high-resolution studies in shallow water

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echo mapper adds flexibility to AUV survey capabilities
new transportable vehicle system for rapid mobilisations

Fugro has expanded its fleet of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Precise navigation is
(AUVs) with the addition of the innovative Echo Mapper vehicle. achieved in all water
depths by a Litton LN 250
“Echo Mapper inertial sensor and an
has been RD Instruments doppler
specially velocity log, which are
designed to calibrated continuously,
cater for rapid using an Ultra-Short
mobilisations to BaseLine acoustic
remote areas.”, positioning system. Vehicle
reports Don position data are processed
Hussong, using FineTrack – a
President of specialist Fugro-designed
Echo Mapper AUV packed and ready for transit
Fugro Seafloor Kalman filter navigation
Surveys Inc. system. Recent performance tests for a major client have
Echo Mapper recovery during a recent survey offshore California, “The launch and demonstrated that Echo Mapper provides multiple pass
showing the vehicle’s saddle-catchment system and articulated A-
frame in operation. recovery system seafloor positioning to better than +/- 3 meters of the surface
is also adapted vessel position.
for economical air transport and can be installed on board client
vessels or other vessels of opportunity”. The Echo Mapper AUV is less than 4 meters long, and weighs
about 500kg. It is designed to be transported anywhere by air-
The Echo Mapper operates to 3,000m water depth, supporting freight on standard passenger aircraft. The main components
state-of-the-art survey tools, including a Reson 7125 200 kHz are easily dismantled and can be packed into three transit
multibeam bathymetry system and an EdgeTech dual frequency cases less than 2m long.
side scan sonar, operating at 120 kHz and 410 kHz. Sub-bottom
data is acquired using an EdgeTech 2-16 kHz chirp profiler. “Although efficient on surveys of any type, Echo Mapper offers
The vehicle is powered by Lithium-Ion batteries, which require real benefits on relatively short surveys where cost-effective
minimum specialized handling and offer survey mission times of mobilization and demobilisation is an important consideration”,
16-18 hours. The battery packs can be changed out in 2-3 hours concludes Don Hussong.
after periods of data acquisition.

areas, such “Our latest initiative is the ROC, a seabed crawler system
as ports and designed for cable burial surveys and inspections in shallow
shipping channels; water, where ROV operations are often problematic due to
for Electronic strong currents. The 800kg, electrically powered vehicle can be
Navigational Chart operated with a 300m umbilical in water depths down to 100m.
production; and The ROC is equipped with a USBL transponder, a TSS 350
for monitoring cable tracker or similar, and a camera system.”
sediment
movement.

Over the years,

Fugro OSAE has
Meridian’s spacious work deck and A-Frame deployment system

been involved
in many initiatives connected with the development and
deployment of innovative survey technology. The company has
been a pioneer in the use of modern survey vessels such as the
catamaran Meridian and the fast jet boat, Jetstream.

“These are efficient work platforms which combine well with

our state-of-the-art hydrographic survey systems to release
the full potential of today’s technologies”, said Bernd Jeuken,
Managing Director of Fugro OSAE. The ‘ROC’ seabed crawler system, designed for shallow water burial and inspection

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 Geosciences
the greenland experience
Diary of a Seismic Processor - Anthony Elliston, Project Manager, Fugro Seismic Imaging AS
Geo Arctic heads into the sea ice
I boarded Geo Arctic in Reykjavik -
the Icelandic capital - with a group of
the seismic crew for an initial meeting
with our new clients. The discussion
centred on the unusual nature of
our next survey - to be shot off the
east coast of Greenland in areas
where substantial sea ice could be
expected.
In the meeting, we decided not to utilise
the new barovanes, designed to allow
wide separation of the seismic gun
arrays, but to tow the guns as close
behind the vessel as possible to avoid
damage by ice. For the same reason, we
decided not to deploy a tail buoy on the
streamer.
There were two prospect areas. One
lay to the north and the other (a back-up
area expected to have less ice) farther
south. We met the first ice long before
reaching the northern area, so Geo
Arctic sailed to the southern block,
mapping the ice edge and features along
the route to check that they correlated
with the satellite charts we were
receiving from Denmark.
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While the chase boat scouted the route
ahead, the captain took the vessel into the
ice barrier. The satellite charts indicated
a possible opening closer to the coast
near Scoresby Sound.
Geo Arctic in production offshore Liverpool Island
Most of us had never worked in ice, but
fortunately the captain had ice-breaking
experience and made good judgments
on where to take the vessel, shunting the
ice blocks aside or breaking through ice
judged thin enough to split.
We acquired our first line on
the 29th July, beginning a
long and difficult four weeks
collecting as much data in
the southern area as the ice
conditions allowed. The data
proved very difficult to image
seismically, exhibiting many
strong reflections from the
seabed, which had probably
been scoured by glaciers in the
past.
The scenery was truly
spectacular, especially around
the coast of Scoresby Sound
where the glaciers came right
down to the sea.
After a crew change in
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, far
to the north of Norway, Geo
Arctic sailed again for the work
area planning to try to break
through the ice barrier into
the more interesting northern
prospect east of Liverpool Island. Once
through the ice rim, we found this area
relatively open, at least in the southern
sector. Over the following four weeks,
we worked our way northwards, the
ice breaking
up enough to
allow more and
more data to be
acquired. Although
easier to work and
less complex to
process, this part
of the prospect
offered less
spectacular views
of Greenland.
We were further
offshore and
the ice lay firmly
against the coast
for 10-20 miles.
One day, while standing on deck drinking
coffee with my fellow processor, he
remarked that he still had not seen any
Arctic wildlife and that generally, there
was nothing visible in the water apart
from fish.
 SUB-BASALT IMAGING IN THE N. ATLANTIC
New Seismic Processing Techniques Unlock Information from Existing Data

We turned around and began scanning One of the remaining

the seas around us. “What’s that then challenges facing the seismic
over there?”, he said jokingly. “An industry today is how to
elephant?” “More likely a seal”, I replied. image data successfully
Then he squawked, “It’s a bl**dy polar beneath the tertiary volcanic
bear!”. Sure enough, on looking through basalt layers that dominate a
binoculars from the bridge, it turned out large expanse of the Atlantic
to be a lone polar bear swimming steadily Margin. To date, the quality
towards the distant coastline from the ice of sub basalt seismic imaging
barrier that had no doubt drifted too far has been unsatisfactory and
from land for the creature’s liking. as a consequence, geological
mapping of the structures
below the volcanic rock has
been unreliable.

The recent high profile

FMCS datasets cover an extensive area to the West of Shetland
Rosebank Oil discovery by
Chevron has firmly focused the industry’s attention on the prospective potential of
the sub-basalt strata. The quality of seismic imaging in these regions has taken
on a new importance, becoming a critical factor in exploration planning.

Our chase-boat, the seal-hunting vessel ‘Kvitbjørn’ Numerous experiments with innovative acquisition techniques have failed to
come up with a convincing breakthrough. Fugro Multi Client Services (FMCS)
After another four weeks onboard, I left has taken the view that the route to better mapping could lie with more effective
the Geo Arctic and transferred by work- seismic data processing.
boat to the Kvitbjørn, the seal-hunting
vessel that was operating as our chase- FMCS has performed a reprocessing exercise on its existing inventory of
boat. Kvitbjørn headed east to find a way conventionally acquired non-exclusive 2D seismic data, covering extensive areas
back out to sea through the ice barrier. of the basalt dominated province. These data sets represent three acquisition
We radioed GPS co-ordinates of our likely vintages (1995, 1996 and 1998) and comprise a grid of more than 8,300 line km in
break-out point to a trawler from Tromsø, an area lying in both UK and Faroese waters to the West of Shetland.
made a successful rendezvous and were
passed like a parcel of fish, wrapped “FMCS has successfully implemented a processing technique pioneered by Statoil
safely in our orange survival suits, into the and presented by them in a technical paper at the Madrid EAGE conference in
waiting arms of the trawler hands. 2005,” reported Zyg Sarnowski, EAME Exploration Manager with FMCS. “The
results of our 2006 reprocessing represent not only a dramatic improvement on
The first of the original data rendering, but also a major advance in sub basalt imaging, even
the winter compared with state-of-the-art acquisition and processing technology,”.
snows had
fallen in
1995 2006
Longyear-
byen when
we arrived,
totally
Longyearbyen
changing
its landscape from our earlier visit. I flew
south the next day leaving the Arctic
after spending a fascinating nine weeks
in the ice. The Geo Arctic continued to
shoot in the prospect areas acquiring
approximately 3400km of data off the
east coast of Greenland, until finally
giving in to the oncoming winter on the
6th October.

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 Offshore Survey
SOUTH & EAST ASIA SHOWCASE Fugro Survey’s regional operations extend from Bangladesh in the
West, to Sakhalin in the north-east, and to Irian Jaya in southern
FUGRO SURVEY - spanning the region Indonesia, in the south-east. In-depth local support is available
from operating bases in Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand
Since 1975, Fugro has and representative offices in the Philippines, Vietnam, and
been successfully Cambodia.
providing offshore
survey services to In addition to the SE Asia business operations, the regional
the offshore oil and head office also provides support to China Offshore Fugro
gas industry in SE GeoSolutions Ltd, a Chinese joint-venture company in which
Asia from regional Fugro holds a 50% interest.
headquarters in
Singapore. Operating from bases in
Tianjin, Shekou and Chiwan,
Fugro Singapore office
A fully comprehensive the joint venture employs
range of technical 113 experienced local staff
services is offered to provide positioning,
including hydrographic construction support and
charting and high- ROV services in the South
resolution geophysics; China Sea.
precise positioning,
vessel tracking and Fugro Survey South East
GIS systems; and Asia is accredited to the
construction support ISO 9001: 2000 standard
and ROV inspection for quality management
services. City Square, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia and the ISO 14001 and
OHSAS 18001 HSE
The key ingredient in this multi-disciplinary capability is the 200 management standards.
Local landmark, Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam
expertly-trained and fully-experienced Surveyors, Geophysicists The regional organisation
and Electronic Engineers employed throughout the region. also holds ISM certification and ISPS certification for ship security.

first commercial auv survey in asia

Fugro Indonesia was selected to be survey contractor

for Unocal Ganal Limited’s Gendalo and Maha field
development surveys, in the Makassar Strait, offshore East
Kalimantan, Indonesia.

“Seeing
Fugro’s
AUV ‘Echo
Surveyor’ in
Singapore,
Gendalo on its
way to
Indonesia
Assoc. Prof. John Potter (3rd from right) inspects the AUV
for the first
commercial
AUV survey
in SE
Asia, is a
Location of the Gendalo field
milestone in
the maturity
cycle of AUV technologies.”, reported Assoc. Prof. John Potter,
Chairman of the IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society Singapore
Chapter and Associate Director of the Tropical Marine Science
Institute, National University of Singapore. A potential client interested in the Echo Surveyor’s Echo Surveyor’s Asian debut in
technology and services. regional oil/gas magazine (July 06)

06 cross SECTION
massive SAKHALIN project draws to a close “We were called back again in the summer of 2003,” explained
Rick Sutton, Construction Support Business Manager with
As Cross Section went to press, the biggest survey Fugro Survey in Singapore. “We were required to perform more
contract ever handled detailed pre-engineering surveys for SEIC to augment the work
by Fugro in South & done in 2001, and also to carry out a large and comprehensive
East Asia, was drawing unexploded ordinance (UXO) survey at each of the three work
to a close locations.”
The project, for
Sakhalin Energy In 2004, offshore pipeline installation contractor, Saipem,
Investment Company began pipelay from the barge Castoro 2 in the shallow waters
(SEIC) off Russia’s east at the Lunskoye site. “Saipem selected us to provide survey
coast, started in May support services, based on our familiarity with the work
2001 and was finished, environment,” explained Rick. “We remobilised our DP survey
five work seasons vessel Setouchi Surveyor, and supplied positioning services on
later, in October 2006. board the barge,” he continued.

Because of its exposed Fugro GEOS

northerly location, the provided real time
work season in Sakhalin information on
Island is strictly limited weather, waves,
to the four summer current profile and
months between June water level to Aker
and October each year. Marine Contractors
At all other times, the during the tow-out,
sea is frozen over and positioning and
weather conditions do installation of the
not permit offshore concrete gravity
Saipem Pipelay Barge on location for Lunskoye Beach Pull
survey or installation base substructures.
operations.
SEIC developments offshore Sakhalin Saipem returned in the summer of 2005 with the barge Semac
The project involved and DSV Team Oman to finish pipelay works at the Lunskoye
work at three locations along the coast of Sakhalin Island as site and lay the pipelines and cables in Aniva Bay. During 2006,
illustrated above - at the Piltun and Astohskoye fields and at Saipem deployed two pipelay barges - Castoro 10 for shallow
the Lunskoye field off Sakhalin’s north-east coast, and in Aniva water pipelay and Seamac to carry out offshore pipelay works
bay on Sakhalin’s south coast. The development called for at the Piltun site. DSV Fu Lai was mobilised for spool piece
installation of a new gravity base structure at the Piltun ‘B’ site, installation at the Lunskoye site and at Piltun ‘A’ and ‘B’. Fugro
linked to the existing Piltun ‘A’ platform - and to an onshore supplied survey support on all of the installation vessels.
processing facility - by a 234km network of four oil and gas
pipelines. A further gravity base platform was to be established
at the Lunskoye ‘A’ location, and connected to a new onshore
processing facility by three oil and gas pipelines and two cables.

The gravity base platform being towed out to the Piltun ‘B’ site

To complete the infrastructure, an offshore tanker loading facility

(TLU) was to be constructed in Aniva Bay on the south coast Setouchi Surveyor equipped with Sealion Work Class ROV

and a short oil export pipeline and a power/communications

cable laid from an onshore terminal to the TLU.
In the summer of 2001, Fugro carried out initial pre engineering
surveys to determine near surface geological and geotechnical
conditions to aid design of the offshore oil and gas production
and loading facilities, offshore pipelines and pipeline land-falls.
“It will seem strange to spend next summer without a large
proportion of our workforce offshore Sakhalin Island,”
concluded Rick Sutton, “but we are extremely proud to
have made a significant contribution to the success of this
prestigious project.”

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 Onshore Geotechnical
ENVIRONMENTAL DUE DILIGENCE IN ANTWERP
Ground Conditions at Refinery Complex Analysed in Minute Detail

A refinery Historical and

in the Port newly collected
of Antwerp data were
was to be processed
sold and the using Fugro-
owners were developed
naturally keen database
to maximize management
market value software -
by providing GeoDin ®. In total information from 2500 locations was imported
a clear and over 1,000,000 data points were interpreted. The data
statement was visualized in 2D and 3D using GIS- software to display the
The refinery in Antwerp
about ground various geological layers and the corresponding environmental
conditions at the site. Fugro Belgium was given the task of parameters.
calculating the expected future costs of remediation due to Additional factors
possible contamination of the soil and groundwater. such as potential
contamination
The refinery complex had been in production since the early inflow and outflow
1960’s and the owners stipulated that all operational units at the perimeter
and plant had to stay in production during any data collection of the site and
performed by Fugro. possible human risks
were also evaluated
Two scenarios were evaluated for the entire ground area of 105 and presented.
hectares occupied by the refinery – a base-case definition of
the work required for remediation to standard Flemish clean-up The levels of
criteria for an industrial site; and remediation to less stringent contamination in the
‘BATNEEC’ clean-up parameters as an alternative option. soil and groundwater
were measured and
Timescales were an important element in the contract. The modeled to allow a
project had to be completed within 3 months including all the realistic and well-
time required to gather and process historical data, collect new founded remediation
information, perform all necessary modeling and construct a cost provision to
comprehensive report. be calculated. This
was presented in
An environmental in-situ data collection strategy was a comprehensive 2D & 3D Contouring maps

developed, based on historical information and knowledge report and discussed

of the site’s location and setting. Some parts of the complex
could not be accessed for in-situ testing. Here, data had to be
collected using conventional methods such as soil boring and
use of piezometers, followed by laboratory analysis of soil and
groundwater samples.
Ultimately, the most effective strategy was determined to be a
combination of classical environmental sampling and testing,
with the present owner, the prospective new owner, and his
environmental consultants.
The Fugro report was used to determination a realistic current
market value for the refinery site and was adopted by the
relevant authorities as a thorough analysis of present day
environmental conditions at the refinery complex.
MIP ROST

together with in-situ data collection employing specialist Fugro Depth [mNGF]
Tip Resistance
[MPa]
Friction Ratio
[%]
DELCD
[V]
PID
[V]
FID
[V]
Wavelength Shift Total Fluorescence
[%]

techniques such as ROST™ (Rapid Optical Screening Tool), 0

-1
0 10 20 30 40 50 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 0 1 2 3 4 5

-2

and Membrane Interphase Probe (MIP) as part of a cone -3

-4
-5

penetration testing campaign. New data was collected via -6

-7
-8

250 ROST™ and 40 MIP cone-penetration tests to a depth of -9

-10
-11
-12

15 to 20m below ground level. Results from 100 piezometers -13

-14
-15

installed during the data collection phase were added to the -16
-17
-18

overall data set. This approach allowed Fugro to achieve an -19

-20
-21

understanding of the geological and environmental status of -22

-23
-24

the refinery at the highest level of detail.

-25

CPT-MIP-ROST™ log

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SAN FRANCISCO COMMUTERS BENEFIT FROM FUGRO EXPERTISE
STUDIES ENABLE AN ENGINEERING UPGRADE TO THE TRANS-BAY TUBE INFRASTRUCTURE

Citizens living in and around San Francisco rely on the Bay Fugro compiled all
Area Rapid Transit (BART) system to get to work on time, available data in the
and to travel between the various cities on the shores of SFTS and TBT area
San Francisco Bay. A key component in the BART network into a Geographic
is a 5km long submerged tunnel, known locally as the Information System
Trans-Bay Tube, or TBT for short, which connects the City (GIS) database for use
of Oakland on the east side of the Bay to the City of San in local and global
Francisco on the west. analyses. Next,
Fugro used ground
acceleration data
developed by BART to
simulate earthquake
scenarios caused by seismic activities on the Hayward and San
Andreas faults. These simulations modelled various seismic
wave transmission effects and included linear and nonlinear
site response analyses to define probable ground motion at the
spring line of the TBT and in the area adjacent to the SFTS.

In order to evaluate shoreline stability, Fugro used a variety

of computer models to perform 2D and 3D finite element/
finite difference analyses at locations affecting the SFTS and
adjacent seismic
joints. Jet grout
columns were
designed to
provide shoreline
stability and
Location of the Trans-Bay Tube in relation to fault lines
limit longitudinal
Unknown to BART travellers, they depend on a piece of displacement
engineering lying out of sight at the TBT’s West End. This is demand at the
the San Francisco Transition Structure (SFTS), which provides seismic joints.
ventilation to the TBT and the bored tunnels west of the Tube. The effectiveness
Designed to survive in the earthquake prone Bay area, the of jet grout columns was evaluated using 3D pseudo-static
SFTS is connected to the TBT and the other tunnels by two slope stability analysis and the computer code PLAXIS 3-D.
seismic joints, each incorporating six degrees of freedom.
Finally, Fugro performed a series of kinematic interaction
BART engineers identified that the SFTS, TBT and bored analyses to develop a picture of likely earthquake-induced
tunnels could be vulnerable to possible shoreline instability and interaction between the
dynamic movement of the SFTS relative to surrounding soils. structures comprising
In addition, in the event of an earth tremor, seismic waves the TBT, the SFTS and
travelling along the length of the TBT could cause longitudinal the seismic joints, and
movement of the submerged tube relative to its surroundings. the surrounding soils.
An engineering upgrade, or ‘seismic retrofit’ was called for and These used dynamic
Fugro was asked to join the team to address the geotechnical stiffness functions
earthquake engineering aspects of the project. calculated in terms of constant mass, stiffness, and damping, to
model global behaviour of all the interlinked structures in a non-
The first step was to properly characterise the site in order to linear manner over time.
identify all the geotechnical elements affecting the project.
“We are really pleased to have
been able to use our multi-
disciplinary expertise to help
improve the safety and security
of the Bay Area transport
infrastructure,” remarked Shah
Vahdani, Project Manager for
A global model of the area
Fugro West Inc.

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 Offshore Geotechnical
CORING UNDER PRESSURE
IN-SITE METHANE HYDRATE STRUCTURES REVEALED

Methane hydrate cores collected deep below the ocean

floor at pressures of up to 250 bar can now be recovered
on deck at full pressure for comprehensive analysis and
testing.

Following a successful commercial project to assess methane

hydrate as a geohazard, Fugro Group companies and Geotek
Limited from the UK, have deployed their groundbreaking tools
to cut, recover and analyse core material from deep water sites.

Fugro and Geotek personnel played key roles in the India

National Gas Hydrate Programme field expedition from
June to August 2006. The Indian Directorate General of
Hydrocarbons (DGH) commissioned this consortium project
with funding from the Indian Government, to determine the gas
hydrate resource potential of sites around the Arabian Sea, the
Bay of Bengal, and the Andaman Sea.

The drilling programme involved continuous coring to detect Getting a Grip

gas hydrate up to 700 meters below the seabed at more than
20 sites lying in 900-1600 meters of water. Pressure coring
with new sampling equipment developed by Fugro, and core
analysis using specialist instrumentation, software and analysis
techniques devised by Geotek, were key elements in the gas
hydrate evaluation program.
Over 30 pressure cores were collected with the Fugro
Pressure Corer and HYACE Rotary Corer, operated by Fugro
engineers assisted by Geotek personnel. These coring and
sampling devices collect one-meter long, plastic-sleeved cores
at pressures up to 250 bar.
Pressure cores are the
‘gold standard’ for gas
hydrate quantification and
are used to calibrate other
methods of gas hydrate
detection. Pressure cores
allow detailed examination
of undisturbed gas hydrate-
sediment structures. Using
the Geotek Pressure
Multi-Sensor Core Logger
(MSCL-P), it proved possible
to obtain X-ray images of
gas hydrate nodules, lenses,
layers and veins buried
within the marine sediments.
The MSCL-P also collected
in-situ density and acoustic
(p-wave) velocity values for
gas hydrate features using
nondestructive testing
Amazing X-Ray images of the methane
techniques.
Unique X-ray images and exceptionally detailed data relating to
the structure of gas hydrate deposits were obtained from the
pressure cores. This information has changed fundamentally
our understanding of how hydrate occurs and our view of its
possible effects on the physical properties of marine sediments
in which it appears.
But the Indian project was much more than a coring and
analysis contract. DGH had requested an ‘Integrated Ocean
Drilling Programme-like’ research expedition, so a consortium
of companies and institutions was created to fulfill these
requirements. Ocean Drilling Limited, Lamont-Doherty Earth
Observatory, the United States Geological Survey, and Fugro/
Geotek combined in what
became an international
effort.
Fugro and Geotek
arranged contracts for
over 30 scientists and
technicians, as well as the
scientific supplies needed
for a 12-week drilling
campaign, in order to bring
the world’s experts in gas
hydrates to the project
and ensure that they were
fully equipped to produce
optimum results.
Methane - energy resource or geohazard?
After a hectic summer, the
Fugro/Geotek team has firmly established itself as the world
leader in gas hydrate surveys. The order book for next year is
almost full already, so more ground-breaking investigations are
probably just around the corner.

10 cross SECTION
Airborne Survey
NATURAL RESOURCES LOCATED BY airborne geophysics
Electromagnetic systems are able to map changes in the Based on this it was possible to use the airborne survey results
electrical conductivity of the ground. These systems to provide a much more robust and cost-effective interpretation
were initially developed to assist in the search for highly of groundwater distribution in those sections of the survey area
conductive ore bodies containing metals such as copper where borehole data were particularly sparse.”
and nickel.

More HeliGEOTEM – A New Tool

recently the
In an innovative development, Fugro Airborne Survey has
systems
re-engineered the GEOTEM system to allow deployment from
have been
rotary wing aircraft. HeliGEOTEM, has the transmitter towed
used for
below a helicopter. Use of a rotary wing aircraft enables TEM
a growing
range of
Survey aircraft showing the transmitter wire of the GEOTEM system
applications
wound around the nose, wing tips and tail. including
coal
exploration, diamond exploration, hydrocarbon exploration,
geological mapping, hydro-geological investigations and
salinity studies. One of the standard tools for electromagnetic
surveying is the GEOTEM system that conventionally has the
transmitter attached to a fixed-wing aircraft.

Groundwater Exploration in the UAE

A Time domain ElectroMagnetic (TEM) survey was flown in
2 days at a 200m line spacing in a north-south direction over
an area approximately 16km x 10km in extent, some 80km
east of Abu Dhabi. Hydrogeological control was provided by
existing groundwater boreholes. These indicated a sequence
of dry sand dune cover up to 30m deep in places. This cover A view of the two-turn transmitter loop from below.

rests on a 20m thick sandstone layer overlying a sedimentary

sequence composed of conglomerate, caliche, and siltstone surveys to be flown in mountainous areas that are too difficult
in interbedded layers, above claystones at a depth of to access with conventional fixed-wing systems. Because the
approximately 150m. system can be flown more slowly and closer to the ground, it
is able to collect higher resolution data and cover a smaller
The airborne survey employed TEMPEST, a broadband area or infill location more efficiently. Crucially, the equipment
fixed-wing TEM system developed by Fugro primarily for soil is portable and
salinity studies and mineral and groundwater exploration. can be shipped
Electromagnetic soundings are effectively acquired at 12m to any continent
intervals along each flight line, enabling a 3D conductivity where a local
model to be created together with 2D and 3D conductivity helicopter can be
maps. The recorded variations in conductivity are more directly used to deploy
related to the changing salinity of the groundwater, than to the system.
differences in lithology. Importantly, fresh water is moderately Traditionally,
resistive and saline water is highly conductive. mobilizing
an aircraft
The survey revealed that where sand dunes were not present, system can
the water table occurred at depths of a few metres. Generally be expensive,
the conglomerates were found to form the main aquifer especially for
throughout the area. a small survey.
The new system
“Overall the match between the borehole resistivity data and is currently
the TEM conductivity information was excellent,” reported flying in eastern
Martin Frere, Regional Manager for Fugro Airborne Surveys. Canada, but will
“Considering the difference in the scale of sampling, the be journeying to
time difference between measurements, and the lack of co- Africa shortly.
The HeliGEOTEM system, comprising the helicopter (top), the
incidence in sample locations, the correlation was remarkable. receiver and magnetometer (middle) and the transmitter (bottom).

cross SECTION 11
 Fugro Group Initiatives
UPGRADED HSE MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM This will provide a
common standard
Fugro has recently introduced a revised HSE Management and assist Fugro in
System (HSEMS) to add impetus to the drive for continual maintaining clear HSE
improvement in HSE performance. polices and practices,
define unambiguous roles
“Since Fugro operations include work on land, at sea and in and responsibilities and
the air, we required specific HSE Standards for theses three facilitate continuous HSE
very different work environments to complement the high level improvement.
Corporate HSE guidance document,” explained Jon Turner,
Group HSE Advisor. Continuous improvement is being achieved by following the
model illustrated above, representing a never-ending upward
Each Fugro progression in each of the seven key system elements.
company will
operate an HSE Analysis of accidents, lost time incidents and other reportable
management HSE events confirms a year on year decline, accelerated
system that will whenever policy or procedural improvements are introduced.
be accredited to “The safety ethos within Fugro is strong and we will continue to
the OHSAS 18001 build on it as we strive for a safe environment for our employees
specification. and clients.”, concluded Jon Turner.

THE BIG CREW CHANGE

People in the offshore industry are getting older by the
day - current studies report that the average age of
the offshore worker is now 53 and rising! Apart from
increasing the retirement age, how is the industry going
to deal with the looming situation of replacing these
experienced personnel?

Fugro has a number of new initiatives aimed at getting new

entrants into the industry whilst helping existing personnel to
develop their careers.

Attracting the best and

brightest to our business
relies on promoting ourselves
at the universities and
colleges from which we
recruit. Fugro has developed
the ‘Join Fugro’ campaign
to promote careers with the
Group. Fugro’s website has
a careers section which has
also been revamped and we
ran recruitment initiatives at
Oceanology International
Keith Henson, winner of Fugro’s ROV pilot
2006 this year.
competition at Oceanology ‘06
Fugro managers enrol for Development Programme
The programme includes the development of business strategy
proposals that are presented to the Executive Committee by
the teams. Very valuable proposals have come out of the three
courses run to date.
The Fugro Academy is one of these proposals now fully
underway. This is aimed at providing a framework for
structured training and career development across the Fugro
group and to improve business performance.

Fugro’s Senior Management Designed to address both division-level training requirements,

Development Programme is part of our solution to career the concept will provide programmes for surveyors,
development. This MBA style programme brings together geophysicists and geotechnical engineers and cross-divisional
groups of senior Fugro personnel from across the world. training through HSE and project management training courses.

The objective is to develop the core business skills these With a focused approach to recruitment, training and career
people will need to develop their careers within Fugro and development within Fugro, we are planning to be ready for that
manage the Fugro of the future. big crew change!

12 cross SECTION
Metocean
stella leads the world radio modem links to allow anchor tension and current profile
Real Time Metocean Information & Mooring Data data to be continuously logged”, Mike concluded.

‘Stella’ is the Bonga Single Point Mooring (SPM) Buoy Weather Monitor 2000 software enables all data to be
offshore Nigeria – the largest such structure in the World. transmitted over a radio link at 1-minute intervals for display in
As part of a contract with Single Buoy Moorings (SBM) real-time on portable
of Monaco, Fugro GEOS has installed innovative, real- PCs used by the pilot
time metocean monitoring equipment combined with onboard the tanker
instrumentation to observe mooring tensions. and/or tugs and on
the FPSO. Critical
SBM and field data influencing
operators SNEPCo the berthing and oil
(Shell Nigeria) offloading operations
asked GEOS to are available when
design, build and and where required.
install a system The operators can
to support tanker Real-time Weather Monitor Display view present and past
approach, berthing conditions, identify
and offloading trends in environmental conditions, and be alerted to adverse
operations from and worsening conditions.
‘Stella’ Single Point Mooring Buoy offshore Nigeria the Bonga SPM
and floating As the majority of the SPM is classified as a Class 1 Div
production unit (FPSO). The existing hawser and anchor tension 2 hazardous area, all the metocean power systems and
system was upgraded and integrated with the metocean the majority of the sensors and telemetry components are
equipment. designed to be intrinsically safe. GEOS’ robust surface-
recoverable ADCP deployment systems avoided the need for
“We made the first use of surface-recoverable Acoustic diver support during installation and future maintenance of the
Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) deployment frames,” explained sensors.
Michael Quinnell, Fugro GEOS SeaSystems Manager.
“Hardware includes a downward looking ADCP on the SPM and The recorded data is available to support the design of
a horizontally mounted ADCP deployed on a rotating turntable future FPSO and SPM moorings and risers and will be used
to acquire near-surface current speed and direction. All data throughout the life of the Bonga field and in future field
are corrected for turntable heading and transferred by real-time developments.

Deepwater measurements combination of ADCPs and Recording Current Meters (RCMs).

At the same time a Wavescan buoy at the surface records
offshore brazil directional wave data, meteorological information and seawater
FUGRO AWARDED World’s Largest Oil & Gas Metocean Study parameters.

Shell has recently awarded Fugro a two-year contract to “This award is testament to Fugro’s emphasis on combining
acquire and analyse oceanographic and meteorological high calibre staff, with advanced measurement techniques
data from Blocks BC-10 and BS-4 offshore Brazil. and excellent local resources,” said Jan van Smirren,
Regional Director for Fugro GEOS Inc, “We are using proven
“This long-term assessment emphasises Shell’s commitment technologies
to undertaking field development work offshore Brazil - a and deployment
good example of an area that offers Shell excellent growth systems. What
opportunities.” explained Michael Vogel, Shell International E&P. is unusual is the
combination of
The measurement programme will characterise the behaviour these measurement
and variability of the Brazil Current, including its numerous techniques
meanders and eddies, and at the same time define the surface in an overall
processes of wind action and wave generation. measurement
programme – we
The study involves deployment of two moorings at each have a fascinating
offshore location for the two year measurement period. Each and challenging
mooring comprises a deepwater current meter array measuring two years ahead
Wavescan Buoy Installed from Fugro Survey Vessel
the current profile through the entire water column using a of us.” Oceansatpeg 1

cross SECTION 13
 Onshore Survey
safeguarding the environment
Fugro has been called upon to help monitor and care for the landscape and environment in two separate projects across
areas of the Netherlands
FAST4DMAP © - A NEW STRENGTH ANALYSIS METHOD FOR RIVER EMBANKMENTS
Prediction of strength criteria, based on grid analyses and strength calculations on an embankment of the River Lek.
During 2004, several secondary and tertiary river
embankments in the Netherlands either failed or began
showing signs of deterioration. These weaknesses, believed to
have been caused by the extended periods of hot dry weather
experienced that summer, were exposed during episodes of
high river levels in the autumn.
In 2005, the Water Authority ‘De Stichtse Rijnlanden’
commissioned Fugro to execute a pilot study to determine the
strength of one of the main embankments on the River Lek.
Traditional methods of strength analysis rely on data from two
dimensional cross and longitudinal profiles of embankment
structures, but Fugro has developed a new analysis method
- FAST4DMAP© - which uses GIS techniques to map the
structures in four dimensions.
FAST4DMAP© is based on a combination of three dimensional
surface and subsurface data (elevation, soil layers, ground
water levels, etc.) and geotechnical calculations of strength.
The output of the analysis is an expression of the strength
characteristics of the embankment structure. These
characteristics are presented as a table indicating changes in
strength parameters over time (fourth dimension). The table
is used for sensitivity analyses of failure mechanisms such as
hydraulic failure by uplift and heave, overall stability, and failure
by piping.
14 cross SECTION
FAST4DMAP© can start with relatively simple
data, then new higher precision measurement
information and better strength-characteristics
can be added later. The method provides
crucial information for decision making and
prioritisation, enabling identification of sections
requiring critical attention, be it monitoring or
reinforcement.
The pilot study focused on the main mechanisms
that could cause collapse. Surface data acquired
by Helicopter Laser Altimetry using the Fugro FLI-
MAP system was processed to generate a Digital
Terrain Model (DTM).
A subsurface data-set was compiled from
geological data, results of soil borings and data
from Cone Penetration Tests (CPTs). Several grid
analyses and strength calculations were carried
out using this data in a GIS (ArcGIS) environment.
The resultant strength characteristic table was
based on the combination of the DTM, the GIS-
analysis and geotechnical calculations. This
provided the ‘De Stichtse Rijnlanden’ with an
effective tool to predict the effects of changing
water levels, natural changes in soil conditions, or
human interventions in the subsoil.
Building upon the success of the pilot study, Fugro is co-
operating with the Institute for Geotechnical Engineering
(GeoDelft), the Institute for Water Management and Hydraulic
Engineering (WL/Delft Hydraulics), Arcadis and HKV, to develop
the next stage of an integrated water management system.
This new project has been titled SUCCESS (Safety Under
Control Civil Engineering Support System).
The objective is to allow the loads on water defence systems,
the strengths of these systems, and the effects of their failure
to be assessed and visualized in combination. SUCCESS
is based on the principles of the FAST4DMAP© method and
combines
the expert
knowledge
of the project
participants
in the areas
of water
management,
flood defence
systems and
the effects of
flooding. A typical tertiary dyke or river embankment
monitoring possible ground subsidence

In the Netherlands, the National Mines Inspectorate

has made it mandatory for the Nederlandse Aardolie
Maatschappij (NAM), to check for possible ground
subsidence caused by the extraction of natural gas.
In response, NAM has engaged Fugro-Inpark to carry
out a series of survey levelling projects throughout the
Netherlands, but particularly around the Waddenzee and
on the Wadden Islands off the North coast.

Measurement activities are encompassing the island of

Ameland and the environmentally sensitive tidal margins on the
The Waddenzee and Frisian Islands (Waddeneilanden)
fringes of the Waddenzee. Measurements are currently being
carried out on the Lauwersmeer, a lake in Noord-Nederland, to
connect with the recently completed Groningen project. Later
in 2006, levelling surveys are planned at Beemster and on the
island of Schiermonnikoog.

Levelling surveys are typically performed on cycle paths and

along public roads, where it is relatively straightforward to
establish permanent ground marks or height reference points.
For work around the Waddenzee, the surveys are required to
extend into the inter-tidal zone. Work on the tidal flats is much
more demanding, as there are logistical and access problems
to address, and establishing permanent ground marks is a
significant undertaking. A vessel is required, for access to
A race against time
areas of the tidal flats, and for safety reasons during the work.
Because the inter-tidal zone and the offshore islands are
environmentally sensitive and are locations that carry higher
than normal safety risks, a safety plan is drawn up before each
project starts. All Fugro-Inpark employees participate in a
safety and operations briefing before commencing work.

All parties involved – including municipal authorities and public

transport companies – are provided with the measurement

Coffee break by the support/safety vessel

route so that they are aware when and where the work will take
place. If a project is scheduled to take place on the Wadden
Islands, additional meetings are held with organisations like
‘It Fryske Gea’, ‘Natuurmonumenten’, ‘Rijkswaterstaat’ and
‘Staatsbosbeheer’.

The selected survey method involves spirit-levelling to 2nd

order specifications along a series of traverses or closed loops
between survey points referenced to Amsterdam Ordnance
Datum (NAP points). The mis-closure in any loop may not
exceed 2.5mm, even over the sand and mud flats in the inter-
tidal zone. The measured height differences are analysed and
processed by an independent party - Rijkswaterstaat (the
Directorate General of Public Works and Water Management)
- to generate new height values for each of the NAP points.
Variations in published heights over time are a clear indicator of
Levelling on the tidal flats ground subsidence.

cross SECTION 15
 Positioning Services
MARINETRACK & MOBILERT PROTECT ‘GYPSY ROSE’
OmniTRACK Aids ‘Those at Peril on the Sea’

MarineTrack, the web-based OmniTRACK position
reporting service, demonstrated its full worth when it sent
a signal to emergency services in an attempt to save the
life of lone sailor Mike Rowney.
Mike was at sea on board his yacht, Gypsy Rose and had
installed a MobiLert system to help protect him if disaster
occurred. The MobiLert ship-fit comprises a MarineTrack
satellite transceiver, which routinely broadcasts position
reports. The transceiver is, in turn, interfaced to a MobiLert
auto-alarm system. MobiLert maintains contact with crew-
members wearing a tracking device and
activates if the crewman is out of range of
the base station – e.g. if he falls overboard,
or is temporarily submerged underwater.
including AMSA in Canberra. AMSA’s 24-hour operations then
called back the Gypsy Rose to establish if the yacht was in
difficulties. Mike said this call “came within 3 minutes”.
“The Gypsy Rose incident is a fantastic demonstration of the
potential of the OmniTRACK service,” said Geoff Glazier from
Fugro OmniSTAR.
“In this case, the ‘emergency’ input on the remote terminal
was triggered automatically, notifying the control centre of a
possible on board emergency.”

If an ‘out-of-range condition’ is detected,

an event report is triggered, and a MobiLert
message is relayed immediately to shore.
The signal is received in the OmniTRACK
control room where all relevant data is
processed and displayed via the web-
based MarineTrack system. This monitors
the geographic position of MobiLert
subscribers and crucially, raises an alarm
when pre-set event criteria are triggered.

On the evening of May 13, Mike

accidentally triggered his MobiLert system
whilst working in the bow of the yacht in
rough seas. Gypsy Rose was hit by a larger
than average wave, seas broke over the
The Gypsy Rose
yacht, and the regular base-station polling
was temporarily interrupted when the An alternative configuration of the MarineTrack service allows
remote device was submerged. The interruption to the signal the duty Control Centre operator to manually pick up certain
lasted only a few seconds, but was long enough to trigger alerts and callout nominated contacts. Though Mike was
MobiLert. The alarm system immediately fired a relay to initiate not in danger this time, the speed in which the response was
a message from the MarineTrack terminal onboard. activated demonstrates the usefulness of this tool in a variety
of applications where individuals or property are in exposed
The alert message was sent at 19:13:13 WST, and received situations.
within a minute by the MarineTrack server in Perth. In turn,
this alerted the duty 24/7 Control Centre operator with an Versions of the MobiLert system are currently deployed in
audio alarm and printed instructions including vessel name, aircraft undertaking exploration surveys, and are utilised by
time, position, and a number of nominated contact numbers teams of field geologists working in remote areas.

To subscriber to an electronic version of CrossSection, visit www.crosssection-online.com for more details.

PO Box 41
2260 AA Leidschendam
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 70 311 1422
For further information, please email: crosssection@fugro.com

www.fugro.com
NO OTHER COMPANY CAN PROVIDE THE SAME COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF GEOTECHNICAL, SURVEY AND GEOSCIENCE SERVICES

16 cross SECTION